Page 247 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Edward F. Waggoner

1906-1907

Most Worshipful Brother Edward Franklin Waggoner was born
in Lostant, Illinois, February, 15, 1870, and acquired his early
education in the public schools there. He was afterward sent to
Eureka College at Eureka, Illinois, and when he had put aside
his textbooks he became a clerk in a store there. The next step
in his business career brought him into close connection with
the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company as traveling
salesman and collector, in which capacity he traveled for them
in Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. He displayed notable ability
in all branches of the harvesting machinery business, thereby
winning the position of general agent and manager of the company's business in Washington,
Oregon, Idaho, Montana and a part of Wyoming.

In 1908 the International Harvester Company was formed, taking over the McCormick Harvesting
Machine Company and Mr. Waggoner was continued in charge of the business until October 15,
1906, when he resigned to enter upon an independent business venture, organizing the Union Fuel
& Ice Company, of which he served as its president. The company was established as a wholesale
and retail business. The business grew steadily and substantially from its inception and became
one of the important and prosperous commercial undertakings of Spokane, doing a business of
nearly a half million dollars in 1911.

Edward Franklin Waggoner was made a Mason in Spokane Lodge No. 34, serving as its Master is
1901. Waggoner was trustee and secretary of the Masonic Temple Association and it was he who
as the Master of Spokane Lodge No. 34, F. & A. M., conceived the project of erecting a Masonic
Temple in Spokane and assisted in the formation of the association which erected the temple. He
acted as secretary of the board of trustees and as chairman of its finance committee from the outset
until the temple was completed, and his work in this connection received warm commendation.
The association was formed in 1901; ground for the temple was broken by President and Brother
Theodore Roosevelt on the 26th day of May, 1908; the cornerstone was laid October 6, 1904; and
the building was dedicated June 14, 1906. The date of dedication was of some significance as it
was M⸫W⸫ B Waggoner who presided over that ceremony as his first act as newly elected Grand
Master of Masons in Washington at the 49 Annual Communication.
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Most Worshipful Brother Waggoner was married to the former Nellie McKibben. In the social
circles of Spokane they were well known and the hospitality of the best homes was cordially